One of the best parts of moving to a new city is exploring all the green spaces and parks it has to offer. When you relocate to a huge city like Boston, or neighboring Cambridge, the options seem endless. If you’ve been stuck inside for too long and need a fun place to take your kids, the park is the perfect place to go. But, not every park has what you want! And if you only go to one park, your kids get bored much too quickly over time. It’s best to mix it up, and thankfully, Cambridge parks are there for you no matter what features you want! You might be looking for great options with playgrounds for kids to play, or maybe a quiet nature setting away from the din of the city is a better fit for you. You can find it in the best Cambridge parks below:
Cambridge Common – Historical Landmark Park in Cambridge
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Cambridge Common is perhaps the best-known park in Cambridge. This 16 acre park is rich in history; legend has it that during the Revolutionary War, George Washington was officially named commander of the Continental Army under the Washington Elm in Cambridge Common. Though the tree died in 1923, a plaque commemorates the ceremony in the spot in which it stood, making this area the perfect spot for a little history lesson. In more modern history, Cambridge Common has been a popular spot for public gatherings before the marches into Boston during the Civil Rights Movement or Vietnam War protests. Today, Cambridge Common is a favorite park among tourists and residents alike. Home to walking and biking paths, pristine lawns, and historic monuments, the 16 acre park is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Parents love bringing their kids to Alexander W. Kemp Playground, which is located within the park as well.
Waterhouse St & Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 349-4639
Alewife Brook Reservation – Walking and Biking Paradise Cambridge Park
Cambridge is home to Alewife Brook Reservations, one of Massachusetts’s state parks. The park opened in 1900, and is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Most of the park is wetland, and it serves as an important habitat for many migratory and indigenous birds – making it the perfect spot in Cambridge to bird watch! The brooks and ponds throughout the park provide spawning grounds for migrating herring as well. Visitors can enjoy playgrounds, sports fields, Dilboy Stadium, tennis courts, and fishing. The Minuteman Bikeway leads to the reservation, and the reservation is extremely popular among bicyclists. You could spend all day here, and this is definitely one of the most popular parks for families in Cambridge since there’s something to do for all ages.
Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02140, (617) 727-9693
North Point Park – Endless Family Fun Park in Cambridge
Right across from the Museum of Science, is North Point Park, which is absolutely packed with recreational opportunities! Completed in 2007 as part of the Big Dig mitigation, this 8.5 acre park offers visitors beautiful views of the water and Zakim Bridge. North Point Park is home to several playgrounds, including a splash deck for warm weather play. It gets fairly crowded during the summer because of the water features here, so make sure you get there early if you don’t want to fight the crowds! There are also extensive walking and biking trails, spacious lawns, dog-friendly areas, and picnic tables. North Point Park is also home to Cambridge’s most popular skatepark, the Lynch Family Skatepark, which was added in 2015. The park is beautifully landscaped, and offers visitors plenty of chase.
6 Museum Way, Cambridge, MA 02141, (617) 626-1250
Danehy Park – Dog-Friendly, Urban Innovation in Nature
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Northwest Cambridge was once a brickyard, then a landfill. After the area was used as a staging area while the MBTA constructed the Red Line, the city poured $11M into the area to create the 50 acre Thomas W. Danehy Park. Per the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Society of Architectural Historians, Danehy Park is one of the first landfills in New England to be redeveloped as a park, and they did a fantastic job. This Cambridge park is home to softball and soccer fields, jogging and biking paths, as well as lookout points. There is also a path made entirely of recycled asphalt and glass, which was masterminded by New York City-based artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles. The path leads to the highest point in Cambridge and includes two beautiful circular dance floors, one of which is laid out to look like a galaxy. Looking for a place to play with your dog off-leash? There is a fenced dog park within the park with a separate small dog area, benches, and drinking water.
99 Sherman St, Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 349-4895
Fresh Pond Reservation – Relax by the Water
If you’re looking for low-key relaxation, head to Fresh Pond Reservation for beautiful green space in Cambridge. The park consists of 162 acres surrounding the 155 acre Fresh Pond, which is part of Cambridge’s reservoir system. There are plenty of benches throughout the park, as well as restrooms by the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility. The 2.25 mile path around the reservoir is a favorite among walkers, joggers, bikers, and rollerbladers. Bird watchers also love Fresh Pond, where there is ample opportunity to observe a wide variety of resident and migrating birds and waterfowl. There are also areas where dogs can play off-leash, but be warned that there aren’t separate areas for big and small dogs. And to top this all off, if you’re looking to play nine holes, Fresh Pond Reservation is home to the Fresh Pond Golf Course!
180-220 Fresh Pond Pkwy, Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 349-4770
Magazine Beach – Cambridge Park that is a Nature Lovers’ Dream
Cambridge’s second largest park is the beautiful Magazine Beach. Here, you can find 17 acres of history and recreation. The park is home to a powder magazine dating back to the early 19th century, and the Riverside Boat Club’s 1912 boathouse, so there’s a lot to look at. There are big plans to turn the powder magazine into a community center. Magazine Park also boasts a free Olympic-sized swimming pool, playing fields, lots of shaded areas, and beautifully maintained lawns, making it perfect for those who like working out in the park. Nature lovers will enjoy endless birdwatching, listening to the peepers in the spring, and spotting deer tracks in the fresh winter snow. Check the park’s event calendar for free yoga and zumba classes!
668 Memorial Dr, Cambridge, MA 02139, (617) 626-1250
Joan Lorentz Park – Cambridge Park to Play Tennis or Relax with a Book
The lawn of the Cambridge Public Library isn’t just the library’s entrance. The 3 acre Joan Lorentz Park is one of Cambridge’s top rated parks, with beautiful shaded areas and lots of seating. Bring the kids to play at the park’s popular playground, or enjoy an afternoon playing tennis with friends. The park doesn’t get overly crowded, but you’ll see people sunbathing, picnicking, playing frisbee, reading, or taking advantage of the library’s wifi (if they’re closer to the building). The library has begun to hold exhibitions in the park, starting with This Should Not Be, an augmented reality exhibit exploring systemic racism in the United States.
449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138
Lechmere Canal Park – Scenic Views of Boston with Boat Parking
Lechmere Canal was built in 1895 as an active seaport serving the Boston Harbor. When the Charles River Dam Bridge was built in 1910, the canal was no longer needed, and it fell into disrepair. The city began revitalization efforts in 1978, creating a 7.5 acre park that wraps around the canal and connects to the Charles River walkway. Cambridge shoppers love strolling the waterfront paths for the views and shops or enjoying an outdoor meal at the restaurants that line the canal. The Charles River Boat Company operates out of the canal, and offers sightseeing tours, sunset cruises, and events/charters. There is also boat docking available if that’s your preferred mode of transportation to the area!
Cambridge, MA 02141, (617) 349-4600
Cambridge Parks Map
With all the great parks in Cambridge, you’ll never have to be bored on your day off. You can check out more parks on the Cambridge MA Parks and Recreation website. If you’re looking up these attractions in Cambridge because you’re relocating to the area, call Mass Bay Movers today! We’re a top-rated Cambridge moving company ready to help.
